Who should the Bruins select in first round of 2021 NHL Draft?

The Seattle Expansion Draft might be drawing plenty of headlines this week, but just a few days after the Seattle Kraken assembled their first roster, the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will get underway — with Round 1 set for Friday night before Rounds 2-7 are held on Saturday.

For Don Sweeney and the Bruins, Friday represents another prime opportunity to inject more talent into Boston’s prospect pool — with the B’s set to select the 21st overall pick on Friday night. That’s the highest that the B’s have selected a player since taking Urho Vaakanainen 18th overall during the 2017 NHL Draft, and stands as just the second time in the last four years that Boston is in position to draft a player in the first round.

And while this may not be the most loaded draft in recent memory, the lack of boots on the ground as far as scouting goes — coupled with abbreviated, if not outright cancelled, seasons overseas and in junior circuits in North America could mean that a very talented asset could fall to the B’s at No. 21.

So who could the Bruins target? Let’s look at a few different profiles that the B’s might focus on as far as need, and list off a few names that you should get familiar with in the coming days.

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  The Bruins have the 21st overall pick, but they'll actually be 20th in order — as the Coyotes voided their first-round pick - 11th overall - due to league discipline. So all things considered, the B's will go 20th overall on Friday.)

THE CENTERS:

This one seems fairly obvious, right? Given that both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci aren’t getting any younger, the race is on for Boston to find it’s next franchise pivots of the future — with Sweeney using plenty of draft capital in years past to scoop up centers such as Jack Studnicka, Trent Frederic and John Beecher. 

At No. 21 overall, the Bruins are likely not going to be in position to snag one of the touted pivots set to go off the board like a Chaz Lucius, Mason McTavish or Cole Sillinger (all of whom would be prime candidates for the B’s), but there should still be plenty of talent available when Boston gets on the clock.

Francesco Pinelli - C, Kitchener (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185 pounds

Stats: 5 goals, 6 assists in 13 games with HDD Jesenice (Loan - AlpsHL)

Ranked No. 23 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 24 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 15 overall by NHL Central Scouting (North American skaters)
Ranked No. 24 by Neutral Zone

Pinelli may not be the flashiest pivot prospect out there, but the Canadian forward has drawn praise for his hockey sense and two-way ability. His ceiling may not be as high as other centers in the draft (which might steer some Bruins fans away after Boston took other two-way Cs in previous drafts), but Pinelli put on a show during World Juniors — ranking third behind phenoms Shane Wright and Connor Bedard in scoring for Team Canada. 

A creative playmaker, Pinelli should be available when Boston picks at No. 21, barring any major surprises from picks 1-19. He’s a polished prospect for sure, but it remains to be seen if he has the talent to morph into the top-six center that the B’s so desperately need. 

Zachary Bolduc — C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 175 pounds

Stats: 10 goals, 19 assists in 27 games

Ranked No. 19 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 18 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 17 overall by NHL Central Scouting (North American skaters)
Ranked No. 22 by Neutral Zone

 Bolduc may not be as refined as a player like Pinelli, but the skill is there, with the 18-year-old pivot noted for his skating and shot. After storming onto the scene in 2019-20 with 52 points in 55 games with Rimouski, Bolduc didn’t set the stat sheet on fire as some expected he would in his second year against QMJHL competition — albeit on a rebuilding team where he was expected to be the offensive conduit following Alexis Lafrenière’s departure. 

Throw in a month lost due to an appendectomy last year, and you could totally see a situation in which Bolduc’s numbers jump up once again in 2021-22 with a new club in the Quebec Remparts. But be warned, there could be some boom-or-bust potential here if Bolduc’s breakout 2019-20 season was a result of being on a loaded Rimouski team.

Fedor Svechkov — C, Togliatti (VHL)
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 187 pounds

Stats: 5 goals, 10 assists in 38 games (VHL)

Ranked No. 17 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 6 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 6 overall by NHL Central Scouting (European skaters)
Ranked No. 20 by Neutral Zone

One of the more polarizing top picks in the 2021 NHL Draft, some believe that Svechkov could be the most underrated pivot in this pool of prospects — while others think he’s more of a second or third-round pick. 

His skating might leave a bit to be desired, but the young Russian has drawn praise for his excellent defensive game and ability to read opposing defenses. Whichever team that drafts Svechkov very well could end up with a player like a Phillip Danault, but the initial reception on draft day might be a bit underwhelming, given this his highlight tape doesn’t exactly wow like other potential first-round selections. 

Still, after holding his own against men over in Russia, Svechkov should have a bright future as an NHLer with a pretty easy floor to chart. But his ceiling as a true top-six center might be a bit tougher to map out. 

Xavier Bourgault — C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 172 pounds

Stats: 20 goals, 20 assists in 29 games

Ranked No. 20 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 25 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 13 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)
Ranked No. 19 by Neutral Zone

With top-flight pivots like Sillinger or Lucius likely off the board by the time Boston picks, a guy like Bourgault might stand as the next appealing option for the B’s if they’re looking for a scoring force down the middle.

The uber-skilled forward has stuffed the stat sheet during his time in the QMJHL — scoring 53 goals and recording 115 points over his last 97 games with Shawinigan. A confident player in the O-zone with a deceptive release, Bourgault may need to work on his defensive game and his skating ability as he progresses through the ranks of pro hockey, but that offensive production is enough to appeal to any team looking to add some scoring skill to their prospect pipeline. 

Aatu Raty — C, Karpat (Liiga)
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds

Stats: 3 goals, 3 assists in 35 games

Ranked No. 28 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 23 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 3 overall by NHL Central Scouting (European skaters)
Ranked No. 18 by Neutral Zone

What an interesting year it’s been for Raty – who was viewed by many as the consensus No. 1 overall pick ahead of the 2020-21 season. But now, the Finnish center’s stock is plummeting, with some even predicting that the 18-year-old forward could fall out of the first round entirely.

So what gives? 

Simply put, Raty woefully underwhelmed in a pivotal season — posting six points in 35 games over in Finland’s top pro league (ok for a teenager against older competition, but not for a consensus No. 1 pick at the time) and eventually getting cut from Finland’s World Junior Team. 

You don’t get tabbed as a potential No. 1 overall pick without showcasing some significant talent and potential — and if Raty rebounds, he could be a steal as a potential top-six C with great playmaking ability. But after such a steep drop-off this past year, there’s a whoooole lot of bust potential if a team wants to gamble with Raty in Round 1. 

THE HIGH-SKILL WINGERS 

Boston’s pursuit of more pivots makes plenty of sense given the need to find eventual internal replacements for Bergeron and Krejci, but with some of the B’s top forward prospects tabbed as being more two-way players with somewhat limited offensive ceilings (Frederic, Beecher, for example), it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Boston uses its first-rounder to add some skill and scoring punch to the organization.

Granted, that hasn’t been in the case over the last few years when Boston has passed on offensive spark plugs like Alex DeBrincat or Arthur Kaliyev in favor of safer picks like Frederic and Beecher.

But if Boston opts to go this route and targets wingers, there could be plenty of appealing options out there for Sweeney and Co. 

Sasha Pastujov — RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 184 pounds

Stats: 30 goals, 35 assists in 41 games

Ranked No. 36 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 36 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 18 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

The top scorer on the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U-18 squad last season, Pastujov falls right in line with some of the draft profiles that the B’s have targeted over the years as an American that’s set to continue his career at the collegiate level (he’s off to Notre Dame this fall). 

And yet, despite his lofty scoring totals last season, Pastujov’s draft rankings have been all over the place in the months leading up to the draft — with TSN generally tabbing him as more of a late first/early second-round selection, while others think he could be gone in the teens. 

He’s not exactly a dynamic skater, but Pastujov is a creative playmaker that’s able to find space, shield the puck from opposing skaters and set up teammates with ease. He could be a playmaking maestro at the next level if his development falls in line with his talent, but he’s also a youngster that could hit a wall if his skating doesn’t improve. 

Matthew Coronato — RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 183 pounds

Stats: 48 goals, 37 assists in 51 games

Ranked No. 13 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 11 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 9 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

Outside of centers like Lucius/Sillinger, Coronato is the player that the Bruins fans should have their fingers crossed for a potential slide down the draft board — as unlikely as it is. 

He may not be a big body at 5-foot-10, but Coronato is an offensive spark plug — scoring 48 goals and posting 85 points over 51 games in the USHL last season. The New York product and Harvard commit’s O-zone skills are evident, but he’s been praised for his motor and compete level, which has allowed him to land punches against opponents via second-chance scoring chances and transition plays over the past year. 

While in previous years an undersized winger with a loaded stat line like Coronato might have dropped to the 20s or potentially out of the first round entirely, that sure doesn’t seem like the case anymore with smaller forwards like Johnny Gaudreau, DeBrincat and Cole Caufield all thriving up in the pro ranks. 

Brennan Othmann — LW, Flint (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 175 pounds

Stats: 7 goals, 9 assists in 34 games with EHC Olten (loan)

Ranked No. 16 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 17 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 8 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

Another winger who, like Coronato, could be scooped up just before the B’s pick, Othmann is an attacking winger that is at his best when he plays at a high pace and keeps opposing skaters on the ropes. Even though the 2021 OHL season was wiped out, Othmann continued to raise his stock while playing overseas in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting up solid numbers as a teenager.

He should be an appealing first-round target for many teams thanks to his offensive ability and his reputation as a pest that can irritate opponents, but, like many other youngsters in this draft class, there is some concern about how far Othmann’s game can progress due to his skating. While he can put many skaters on their heels over in Switzerland or in juniors, it’s a different beast altogether in the NHL and AHL. 

If he continues to work on said skating, however, there’s a lot to like about Othmann as a middle-six regular at the next level. 

Isak Rosen — RW, Leksands (SHL)
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 156 pounds

Stats: 0 goals, 1 assist in 22 games 

Ranked No. 13 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 11 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 9 overall by NHL Central Scouting (EU skaters)

If you’re looking for a nice change of pace, Rosen is a first-round talent that has been lauded for his skating ability. Rosen certainly looks the part of a first-round talent with potential top-six upside at the next level, with the Swede soaring past the blue line and generating scoring chances before the opposition even knows what hit them. 

He put together great stat lines against U-20 competition in Sweden (12 points in 12 games) and tallied seven goals over seven games at World Juniors, but Rosen also hit a wall when making the jump up the SHL against grown men.

Again, not surprising for teenagers to struggle at first at such a level, but it’s clear that the 156-pound Rosen needs to add some serious bulk and fill out his frame if he wants to succeed over in North America. 

Simon Robertsson — RW, Skelleftea (SHL)
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 190 pounds

Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist in 22 games / 20 points in 15 games vs. U-20 competition

Ranked No. 32 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 34 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 11 overall by NHL Central Scouting (EU skaters)

Another versatile forward that’s at his best with the puck on his stick, Robertsson is rarely timid in the offensive zone – often pushing the biscuit into Grade-A ice in order to collapse the defense and make something happen. He could develop into a solid bottom-six forward up in the NHL, but his lack of speed and top-end skill could have him landing more as a second-round selection on Saturday. 

Mackie Samoskevich — RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 191 pounds

Stats: 13 goals, 24 assists in 37 games 

Ranked No. 33 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 47 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 26 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

He may not have the same lofty statline that his teammate in Coronato put forth last season with Chicago, but Samoskevich fits a similar profile as an undersized offensive winger that could fill up the box score at the next level.

While not as polished as Coronato, Samoskevich has buckets of skill and highlight-reel moves in his arsenal — and could project as a first-round sleeper if a team thinks he can hold his own up at the next level.

Fabian Lysell — RW, Lulea (SHL)
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 172 pounds

Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist in 26 games / 13 points in 11 games vs. U-20 competition

Ranked No. 14 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 30 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 9 overall by NHL Central Scouting (EU skaters)

Lysell is cut from the same cloth as a fellow Swede in Rosen in that he’s an extremely gifted offensive winger (with arguably the most impressive highlight reel of any first rounder), but he’s also plagued with the similar issue in that he’ll likely hit a bump in the road with his development as he begins to battle against older and stronger competition. Given his top-end talent, he very well could be off the board by the time the B’s are on the clock. 

THE MOST BRUINS PICKS OF ALL TIME: 

I mean, this segment kinda speaks for itself, right?

Tyler Boucher — RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 205 pounds

Stats: 6 goals, 5 assists in 12 games

Ranked No. 29 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 49 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 25 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

 I mean, the stars sure seem aligned when it comes to Boston targeting a guy like Boucher.

Let's go down the list...

He's American? Check.

He plays for the NTDP? Check.

He comes from hockey bloodlines? Check. (His father is Brian Boucher). 

He's off to college next season? Check. (He's set to play at BU this fall).

He's projected to be arguably the most physical winger available in the top tier of the draft? Check.

While plenty of mocks have Boucher landing in either the late first or earlier second round, Boucher sure seems like the type of player that the B's would target as a high-energy forward capable of inflicting some punishment. Other wingers available at No. 21 might have higher ceilings, but man — this guy just seems like a Bruins draft pick. 

Zachary L’Heureux — LW, Halifax (QMJHL)
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 196 pounds

Stats: 19 goals, 20 assists in 33 games

Ranked No. 25 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 12 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 30 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

When a prospect says that he looks up to agitators like Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk, it should already be enough to peak the Bruins’ interest. And there’s a lot of similarities to be found in both L’Heureux and Marchand’s game — with the former making a name for himself as a physical winger that’s at his best when he’s annoying the bejesus out of opponents and stacking up points.

However, while L’Heureux’s stat lines, skill and style of play would almost certainly lock him in as a first-round selection — there have been multiple red flags with the winger for his aggression and lack of discipline. This past season alone, L’Heureux was suspended four times — including an ugly incident in which he spit on a player. 

In the right situation, L’Heureux can and should thrive as a middle-six winger in the NHL that can score at a steady clip and be the chief pest for his club. But whichever team takes the risk in drafting him will need to reel him in and help find the balance between being an effective fly in the ointment and a detriment to his club. 

THE DEFENSEMEN

Help up front might be the top need for the B's in the draft, but there should also be a couple of legit blue-line prospects available at No. 21 if things fall the B's way. 

Corson Ceulemans — D, Brooks (AJHL)
Height: 6-foot-2, 198 pounds
Weight: 198 pounds

Stats: 4 goals, 7 assists in 8 games

Ranked No. 22 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 20 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 14 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

No, the Bruins wouldn’t just draft Ceulemans because of the fact that having both a Karson Kuhlman and Corson Ceulemans would be hilarious. It’s because the right-shot D projects as a big-bodied skater with plenty of offensive acumen. 

If Boston is option to go with the “best player available” route, a guy like Ceulemans could be a top pick-up for the B’s, but it is important to note that the right side of the B’s D corps should be locked up for the foreseeable future with Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo in place. 

Still, regardless of fit, Ceulemans would be a quality add to Boston’s prospect pool.

Carson Lambos — D, Winnipeg (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 197 pound

Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists in 2 games

Ranked No. 21 overall by TSN/Bob McKenzie
Ranked No. 21 overall by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked No. 11 overall by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters)

If Lambos falls to the B’s, they’re going to have a tough decision to make. Had this draft been held months earlier, it sure seemed like a forgone conclusion that Lambos was going to be snagged somewhere in the single digits or teens — with the left-shot D drawing praise as a physical blueliner with a sound transition game that could very easily develop into a top-four stalwart on a good defense. 

But Lambos’ current stock is in a bit of limbo, as he only logged two games in the WHL before missing the rest of the season due to a leg injury. Even though he has been cleared to resume hockey activities ahead of the 2021-22 season, Bob McKenzie did note that some teams still have some concern regarding Lambos’ health moving forward. 

That could potentially make him a great value pick-up if he falls to Boston and they’re confident that Lambos’ injury was just a temporary set-back, because there’s a lot to like about how he projects at the next level as a minutes-eating, all-situations defender on the left side.